Racking Focus Podcast

Racking Focus Podcast

Films aren’t just meant to be viewed, but they’re intended to be discussed. If you’re anything like us, you love watching + talking about movies, but the problem is that sometimes there’s no one around you who gets your love for the cinema. So if you enjoy film analysis and a good conversation, then join us every other week as we discuss new or classic films. Our name comes from a filmmaking technique where the focus shifts over the course of the shot from one subject to another, known as racking focus. We chose this name because we shift our focus to different aspects of the film in review.

Episodes

August 2, 2022 33 mins

Josiah and John finally chat about MoonKnight, one of John's favorite Marvel Comics characters. The full series conversation is chock full of spoilers, so beware. This is a show to watch without the stain of foreknowledge. 

TIMESTAMPS:

1. Moonknight Conversation- 0:10

2. Weekly Watch- 30:17


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Jordan Peele inspired Josiah and John to create this podcast, and so it is appropriate that his film, NOPE, is the subject of our 100th episode. Nope is a genre breaking critique of the modern (and ultimately) human infatuation with spectacle. The film channels Jaws, the great westerns of the 1950s and 60s, a host of paranoid, alien invasion films, and Spielberg's cinematic style. All of that is supported by beautiful visual imager...

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Back after a hiatus filled with births and death, Josiah and John journey to the realms of the gods to explore Taika Waititi's second Thor film. This one has met with some controversy, but love it or butcher it, Love and Thunder opens a path in the Bifrost for much more MCU magic. Richly Waititiesque, Love and Thunder is both tonally inconsistent and emotionally satisfying. 

TIMESTAMPS:

1. Catching Up with our Lives. 0:10
...

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Tom Cruise knows how to deliver on high octane action and Top Gun: Maverick is a perfect blend of nostalgia and adrenaline! Hands down one of the best sequel films to exist and we can't get enough of it! Get ready for our spoiler free, and spoiler filled review! What did you think of the film? Send us a DM or a voice message at the link below and let us know your thoughts!

TIMESTAMPS:

1. Spoiler Free Review - 0:10
2. The Weekly...

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And we're back after a few weeks off due and we're discussing and reviewing the newest addition to the MCU, Dr. Strange In The Multiverse of Madness. Raimi fans will love it. Non-Raimi fans might have problems with it. We fall into both categories and appreciate the filmmaking aspect, but also think that some of Raimi's specific style really causes... you know what? Just listen to the podcast and hear our critique. Normally we're p...

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The Northman is a downright brutal film. And we talk about all of it. Our review and conversation about The Northman covers everyting from the intensity of the music, to the unbelievable shots, and the entire epic-ness of it all, and so much more. We actually had to stop ourselves because we could've talked for another hour together about this film. Eggers certainly delivered on a $90 Million Viking epic. As usual, there are spoile...

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If you're someone who says that original movies aren't being made, well you couldn't be more wrong. Everything Everywhere All At Once is a prime example of a wildly original idea that is both absurd and full of emotion and heart. This is hands down one of the best films of 2022 and it's only April! There are spoilers everywhere in this episode and we highly encourage you to watch this film without any expectations so that you can e...

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We have some catching up to do. Welcome to another multi-movie mash up episode where we're briefly discussing Free Guy, The French Dispatch, and The King's Man. Our favorite film of these three may surprise you so be sure to listen to find out which film we prefer. We'll be doing these mashup episodes from time to time as there's just so much to cover and not enough time to podcast review all of the films and shows being released.

...

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Another year, another Batman reboot. HOWEVER, this one is different. Pattinson wears the cowl this time and his Batman is striking, and his Gotham is more grounded in the real world. Is it better than Nolan's The Dark Knight? Well, we discuss that, of course, along with with everything from Greig Fraser's astounding cinematography to Michael Giacchino's brilliant scoring, to all of the little things like Batman gadgets, Kravitz's C...

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February 22, 2022 70 mins

Before he was the legendary treasure hunter, Nathan Drake was just a normal guy... or at least that's the case with the film adaptation. That's right. We're talking all about Uncharted, and sharing some of the major differences and similarities between the story you all know and love from the Playstation to the silver screen. There are spoilers ahead. You've been warned! In addition to our review about Uncharted, you'll also hear a...

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February 17, 2022 42 mins

In our review and conversation of HBO's recent release, Kimi, starring Zoë Kravitz and directed by Steven Soderbergh, we discuss our admiration for the director, it's homage to movies like Rear Window, along with the technical aspects like camera work, production design, and costuming, in addition to a glaring issue or two that caught John completely off guard. You'll also hear about what other films we have been watching since our...

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In our review and conversation of Guillermo del Toro's latest film, Nightmare Alley, we touch on topics such as the differences between this and the original 1947 film, the morality of our characters, our issues with the casting, and the filmmaking aspects like the blocking, cinematography, and production design. You'll also hear about what other films we have been watching since our last episode and what films we're looking forwar...

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In our review and conversation of Ridley Scott's latest film, The Last Duel, we're heading back 14th century France to witness three accounts of Jean de Carrouges, Jacque le Gris, and Marguerite, and in the process, make our own assumptions of who is telling the truth. In the end, the truth will be revealed by God as we witness a trial by combat between de Carrouges and le Gris that will determine the fate of Marguerite. This film ...

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SPOILERS EVERYWHERE! We are discussing Season 2, episodes 6 and 7. We'll recap the entirety of it and have a great time talking all things Witcher. Those things include things like... the massive reveal at the end, who hired Reince, who were those riders in the desert, and what is with all the monoliths?

Josiah has read the books and played countless hours in Witcher 3 and therefore, may end up merging or confusing what happens in ...

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SPOILERS EVERYWHERE! We are discussing Season 2, episodes 6 and 7. We'll recap the entirety of it and have a great time talking all things Witcher. Those things include things like... what's all the fuss about elder blood; who is this witch and why does she matter; another awesome fight scene, what is this temple; and what is in store for the season finale?

Josiah has read the books and played countless hours in Witcher 3 and there...

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SPOILERS EVERYWHERE! We are discussing Season 2, episodes 4 and 5. We'll recap the entirety of it and have a great time talking all things Witcher. Those things include things like... Dijkstra's incredible character introduction; what the heck he's doing talking to an owl; what does Elder Blood mean; and who is that chick in Ciri's subconscious?

Josiah has read the books and played countless hours in Witcher 3 and therefore, may en...

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SPOILERS EVERYWHERE! We are discussing Season 2, episodes 2 and 3. We'll recap the entirety of it and have a great time talking all things Witcher, what we thought about Kaer Morhen, Ciri's new look, all the stuff with Eskel, and what we're excited for going forward.

Just a disclaimer, Josiah has read the books and played countless hours in Witcher 3 and therefore, may end up merging or confusing what happens in each as it...

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SPOILERS EVERYWHERE! We are heading back to The Continent filled with Monsters, Elves, Mages, and of course, Witchers! Season 2 of The Witcher is back on Netflix and it's better than ever! We dive into Season 2, episode 1 and recap the entirety of it and have a great time talking all things Witcher.

Follow us on Letterbox'd

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SPOILERS EVERYWHERE! If you don't want this movie spoiled for you, which you shouldn't because the film is too good and there's too many great surprises that you should want to go into this movie fresh. That said, Tom Holland's Spidey swings into his third "solo" film in a way that is sure to delight Spiderman fans of all ages. This is the Spiderman film you've wanted and have been waiting for and it does not disappoint.

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December 14, 2021 60 mins

We finally saw Eternals! Marvel took a different approach to this film than other films in the MCU. It was both refreshing and yet, we had some issues with plotting. Find out all our thoughts and opinions in this spoiler filled episode.

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https://letterboxd.com/johndoyle/

Send in a voice message, question, or request here: https://anchor.fm/racking-focus-podcast/message

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